New Developments in US-Pakistan Relations

The Indian Government's immediate reaction to the news regarding the US Administration proposal to reach a nuclear agreement with Pakistan on the pattern of India is absolutely justified. In view of it the Obama Administration should not only review its proposal but it also, keeping in view Pakistan's past track record on the nuclear expansion, should not reach any such deal with Pakistan.

Broad-Based Agenda
Notwithstanding the US administration's observation that former President George W. Bush signed the nuclear treaty with India, there is nothing of that sort in its proposal. The US special envoy in Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has admitted that there is a broad-based agenda for the talks at the strategic level wherein the US Government will listen to the Pakistani viewpoint with great attention. If the US is in favor of paying attention to the Pakistani stand, it implies that a significant change has taken place in the US approach toward Pakistan.

The Pakistani economy at this juncture is badly shaken and its nuclear industry also has received a severe jolt. There is, however, also the question of revival of this industry for which the United States is in the need of a fresh buyer also.

There has been an amazing track record of Pakistan with regard to the expansion of nuclear weapons. Pakistan is already a nuclear weapon country and the way the issue of secretly passing on the nuclear know-how to other countries by its nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan has come to the fore manifests that it is not serious regarding the nuclear expansion.
US-India Nuclear Agreement
Prior to the US nuclear deal with India, Pakistan used to vehemently oppose it and after the signing of it, Pakistan started demanding an identical nuclear treaty with the US. India has always supported nuclear non-proliferation and strictly observed it. As a part of the US-India nuclear deal, it has been argued that the nuclear energy produced through nuclear reactions will be used for peaceful purpose and economic development.

It is this feature of the US-India nuclear treaty that makes a difference with regard to the proposed US-Pakistan nuclear deal. The US-India nuclear agreement is solely based on the past track record of India as a peace-loving country and its nuclear energy requirements for economic development. No other nation can be treated at par with India on this score. This fact is acknowledged by US lawmakers also.

Devastating Situation
By reaching a nuclear deal with Pakistan, the United States will of course get another market for its nuclear industry. Yet, the likelihood of nuclear weapons finding their way to undesirable elements and the possible threat to peace in this region cannot be ruled out. There exists no stable government in Pakistan at this juncture and terrorists are exploiting government employees. Hence, nuclear assets may find their way to the hands of such elements. Then an extremely devastating situation will be created.

In the recent past, India has been under the impression that the United States is probably finding itself closer to India than Pakistan. The latest development has simply disillusioned India, for the latest change in the US approach is extremely intriguing.